Ruskin Museum, Coniston

John Ruskin died on 20 January 1900. W.G. Collingwood, a local artist and antiquarian who had been Ruskin's secretary, organised a memorial exhibition that summer in the Assembly Room of Coniston Institute. The proceeds from the exhibition not only paid off the outstanding debt on the Assembly Room but raised sufficient funds to build a further extension to house a permanent memorial to Coniston‘s most famous resident – the Ruskin Museum. The museum opened in 1901 and was extended in 1999 with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant and again in 2008 with the creation of the new Bluebird Wing.

THE PROPOSED RUSKIN MUSEUM. The plans for the above, based on designs by Mr W. G. Collingwood, hare been prepared by Mr Robert Walker, architect, Windermere. The following contractors have been selected to carry out the work, subject to certain small supplementary estimates being approved by the building committee: Mr George Usher, Coniston, excavating, walling and slating; Mr Joe. Coward, junior, Coniston, joiner work; Mr M. 8. Redhead, Coniston, plumbing, painting, glazing, and besting; and Mr E. J. Keighley, Windermere, plastering. The new building, which will be erected adjoining the west end of the concert hall, will have an inside measurement of 30 feet by 28 feet, and is to be lighted from the north side of the roof. Access to the museum from the concert hall and from the outside will be by means of an extension of the west porch, while a verandah, running along the end, will relieve the somewhat plain appearance of the exterior and help to secure the dryness of the wall most exposed to storms. [Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 21 November 1900 page 5]

THE RUSKIN MUSEUM Another attraction has just been added to the beautiful Lake District by the opening of the Ruskin Museum at Coniston. Those reverent pilgrims who wend their way to the pretty little lake-side churchyard where lie the remains of the great master of word-pictures will doubtless also visit the new institute, to inspect the many interesting relics and pictures. In the main room is a fine portrait of Ruskin himself. The building is situated in a most picturesque spot on the hillside and is in apt harmony with the rugged aspect of its background. THE RUSKIN MUSEUM, CONISTON: THE MAIN ROOM. Photographs by Miss Minnie E. Hargreaves [The Sketch 18 June 1902 page 18]

Reference    Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 21 November 1900 page 5
Reference    Lakes Chronicle and Reporter 4 September 1901 page 5 – opening
Reference    The Sketch 18 June 1902 page 18